Insulation is cool! Or is it hot? Actually, it’s both! An insulator is a property of material that prevents heat from moving, keeping cold things cold and hot things hot!
Tyler Fish – a polar explorer – set us a challenge to find the best material for their new kit. The Arctic is extremely cold and temperatures can drop as low as -50 degrees Celsius so the material would have to keep them warm. We chose our materials and set up our equipment…
…three cups containing the same amount of warm water, which we wrapped in bubble wrap, felt and cotton, for example.
We made predictions about which material would be the best insulator. Carefully and with precision, we measured the starting temperature.
After 20 minutes, we measured the temperature again.
Working out the difference in temperature, we were able to work out the best material. Challenge your child to fill in the blanks:
The smaller the ___________, the better the ___________.
Each group was able to recommend their chosen material to Tyler for him to order new Arctic kit. Success!
